Five years ago, I was putting my fancy masters degree to good use raising funds for the Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program at the University of South Florida, climbing the corporate ladder and supporting a cause I cared deeply about. I saw women of all ages, in all stages of life building, giving, serving and doing. I loved supporting them but I desperately wanted to BE one of them. My creative heart was bursting at the seems tied to Microsoft Excel and oozing reports and statistics and data.
I wanted color and life and joy and deeply, deeply connected meaning to every millisecond of my days. And I wanted to be a Mama. More than anything else in the world. I dreamed of creating a life where I could be all of the above. And on the day I left my full time job to pursue my dream, I found out the most important part of that dream would come true nine months later.
I sold custom monograms on Etsy for $5 each rejoicing with each and every sale. Slowly but surely, late night after late night this little dream of mine grew. It’s had many faces over the last five years as I’ve grown and changed and truly become more and more centered on the core of this business.
I’m excited to introduce you to the new Emily Ley shop. Over the past six months, I’ve been working with the incredible ladies at Stitch Design Co and the amazing team at Aeolidia to develop our new brand and new shop.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CHANGE THE LOOK OF YOUR BRAND?
I turned thirty earlier this year. And despite being a slightly traumatic experience (kidding, I love being 30) I really feel like I’ve come into my own in terms of who I am and what I stand for… and, equally as important, who I’m not. I feel very comfortable and confident in what Emily Ley is all about (both myself and the brand — all one in the same). I wanted a visual brand that fully, wholeheartedly and clearly communicated our mission: to help women build more joy, simplicity and what matters most into their lives. Stitch was a joy to work with and really hit the nail on the head with our logo and brand elements. Aeolidia, was and is, incredible as a web team. I can’t say enough about Arianne, Lauren and Zak. Incredible. Again. :)
HAS THE SHOP CHANGED? ARE THE PRODUCTS THE SAME?
The shop is now easier to navigate and laid out a little more clearly. As simplicity is central to our brand, so it is to our web home. One of my favorite changes we made was to the layout of the Simplified Planner® and Simplified Life Binder™ pages. I want our customers to feel like they’re sitting with me, in my living room, flipping through the pages of my two favorite pieces I’ve ever created. Aeolidia helped us achieve just that. We also now have a mobile shop – if you’re viewing our shop on your phone, it’ll be easier than ever to make a purchase right from there.
Thank you, again, to everyone for your support. Over the next twelve months, you’ll actually see even more changes take place within our shop. We’ll be discontinuing many of our personalized items (not all, but many!) and adding even more items for your desk and home office to help you make what matters happen.
Happy, happy, happy Thanksgiving, friends! I am so grateful for your love and support over the past five years!
xo,
Emily